Greetings everybody!
The Mascot Corner section is quite popular but I had to neglect
it a little being very busy with my company and with the arrival of
my new son, Rocket (to honor Maurice Richard).
I am back and promise to have regular articles about the world of
mascots.
Since the last article, many things happened in my career. First,
I now work with the San Diego Padres organization instead of the
Colorado Rockies during the summer. I work for their AA minor league
affiliate in Mobile Alabama. I did this transition because I wanted
to be closer from my family, Mobile is only 45 minutes away from my
home.
For the 4 previous seasons, I was working with the A-level Salem
Avalanches, in Virginia. It was agreat experience for me. I enjoyed
working there and I miss Salem and the fans.
Such is life and I had to move on. Now, I have to concentrate on
the Baybears Mobile. What a difference between Mobile and Salem!
Why? First, Mobile is a AA team so the players are older and more
mature. Second, Mobile is a southern city and it's very hot and
humid. Third, it's a new character. In Salem, I was a dog, Mugsy. I
am now a bear called Beach bear.
The most important difference is how serious the Baybears are
when it comes to entertainment: 5-6 mascots every night, fireworks
on Fridays and national entertainer on Saturdays ((San Diego
Chicken, Zooperstars, etc). It's very active here. Bill Shanahan,
the GM, gives me lots of freedom in regards to what I can do and
Beachbear is a big hit in Mobile! It might have been their best
acquisition this season! The mascot brings lots of life and color in
the stadium and I must say that we have great fans. It is great to
work with such fans.
Moreover, it is a AA team so the players are better and more
serious. They are still very pleasant. I have fun here despite the
fact that I had to get used to a new stadium. I also have to adjust
to the different entertainers they bring here. It's a lot of fun tom
work with other mascots like the San Diego Chicken. Aside from
Youppi, he was my idol when I was a kid. I learned a lot just by
observing him. He is good in his own way but it does help when your
name is well known. I have to give him credit: he opened many doors
for me by popularizing mascots the way he did.
The only problem I have here is the heat and humidity.
Temperature is, on average, 90F and more. Ver, very hot. You have to
drink a lot but I dealt with it.
It's good for the muscles - especially when you're older…
I recently received an email from the Toronto Blue Jays mascot
and I'd like to share it with you:
This is my second year as a pro mascot
and can relate to some of your anecdotes. One that happened to me
was at the beginning of last season, we had a hot dog launcher ya
know the kind that uses co2, well we had tested it but hadn't
actually used it in a game.
The first time we went out with it, it
couldn't have gone more wrong. We aimed and shot the first one which
went about 20 feet in the air before the wrapping pealed away and
the hot dog exploded. Then we shot a second, and a third, each
exploding and covering everyone in a 100 foot radius with soggy bun
and weener shrapnel.
The next day we were in all the papers
and we even got an honorable mention in Sports Illustrated.
The great thing was that after all the
press everyone wanted to see the 'weenie blaster' and the promotion
became a huge hit.
See you soon - I promise to have articles on a regular basis this
season! Hockey is starting soon and Jumping Jack already has 32
games booked for the season!
